Wrist band for wrist watch



Match 18, 1958 Filed Jan. 24. 1955 T 1 1.: f" u r. t 7:. r fIIIIIII/l I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ IK'IIIIIII A. CORNU WRIST BAND FOR WRIST WATCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 18, 1958 A. CORNU 2,827,213

WRIST BAND FOR WRIST WATCH Filed Jan. 24. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 )nveM/F H Ami [mi/V 7. AH'or nay March 13, 1958 co u 2,827,213

WRIST BAND FOR waxs'r WATCH Filed Jan. 24, 1955 4 Sheets-Shee't 3 II/IIlIAr/II/ I flit/115%,

March 18, 1958 -A. CORNU 2,

WRIST BAND FOR WRIST WATCH Filed Jan. 24, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United WRlSZl BAND FOR WRIST WATCH Ami Cornu, La Chaux the Fonds, Switzerland, assignor to Cornu & (30., La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, :1 firm Application January 24, 1955, Serial No. 485,678

Claims priority, application Switzerland January 28, 1954 Claims. (Cl. 224-4) My invention has for its object a wrist watch, the

wrist band of which is constituted by rigid arcuate arms or sections of which at least one is pivotally secured to the watch case.

According to my invention, said arm is urged back into its closed position by at least one coil spring arranged longitudinally with reference to the arm and extending into the vicinity of the pivotal connection between said arm and said case, said spring being wound around a rod pivotally secured to an abutment member engaging the watch case, the coil spring bearing on the one hand against the arm and on the other hand against a section of said rod so as to hold said abutment member against the watch case and to urge the arm back into its closed position.

i have illustrated by way of example in accompanying drawings three preferred embodiments of a wrist watch according to my invention. In said drawings:

Fig. l is an elevational view of a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-section of an arm of the wrist band on an enlarged scale, through line III-III of l ig. 4 is a cross-section of said arm through line IVIV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the abutment member associated with said arm.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal elevational, partly sectional view of one of the arms of the wrist band in a second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section through line VIIVII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through line VIIIVIII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a partial plan view from underneath of a third embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a cross-section through line X-X of Fig. 9.

Figs. ll and 12 are two further cross-sections respectively through lines XX, )GXI and XIIXII of Fig. 10.

The first embodiment, shown in Figs. 1-5, relates to a wrist-watch of the so-called marquise type. It comprises a watch-case 1 having on each side two side ears la, each two side ears on the same side carrying between them the pivoting axis for the wrist-band. The pivoting axis consists in two bars or pins 2., separated by a spring, and engaging suitable lodgments in the side ears la; or said pivoting may be made and connected to the side ears in in any other known manner; the pivoting axis with its component parts is parallel to the general plane of the wrist-watch l, and is housed in a tubular sheath 2a (Figs. 3 and 5). The arcuate arms of the wrist-band 3 are rigid and each arm 3 comprises a peripheral tubular member 4 2,827,213 Patented Mar. 18, 1958 bent in U-shape, provided along its inner edge with a longitudinal slot engaged by two arcuate superposed plates 5 and 6. Plate 5 forms the armature of the arm 3 and is extended toward the watch case 1 by a tubular portion 13 fitted around sheath 2a of axis 2, whereby the arms of the wrist band 3 are firmly attached to the wrist-watch 1 when the axis 2 is in position between side ars 1a, but can pivot relative to the watch case 1 around axis 2 and sheath 2a. Plate 6 serves merely as a support for an ornamental layer 7, which may be made of leather. (See Figs. 3 and 4.)

An abutment member 12 is located on each side of the watch case 1, substantially between ears in; each abutment member 12 is provided with lateral flanges 12a, which are articulated on a short shaft 11, median of the wrist-band, parallel to axis 2, but situated lower than axis 2 relatively to the general plane of the watch case 1.

Shaft 11 and, therefore abutment member 12, are connected to the wrist-bands 3 in the following manner: a casing 9 is attached to the underside of each wrist-band by means of tongues 9a, passing through plate 5 and folded over the outer surface of the latter. The front wall 95 of easing 9 is relatively close to shaft 11, and is provided near its ends with two slots 90. A tube 11a is mounted around shaft 11, rotatable relative to the latter. Two parallel longitudinal rods 10 are at one end integral with tube 11a; they extend through slots inside casing 9 and terminate at their other end inside casing 9 with a terminal stop 10a. Each rod it is surrounded, inside casing 9, by a coil spring 8, one end of which abuts the inner surface of front wall 9b, and the other end of which abuts and is retained by terminal stop lila.

Abutment member 12 comprises a median or central boss 12b which is to come in contact with watch case 1 when arcuate arms 3 are moved around axis 2 toward the position of opening of the arms 3. When this occurs, boss 12]), in contact with the watch case 1, constitutes a firm fixed rest for abutment 12; then as arms 3 are further opened, boss 12b and abutment 12 are subject to the compression of springs 8, which in turn tends to bring arms 3 back to the closed position. This compression is'effected by the action of rods 10 connected to tube 11a, surrounding shaft 11 connected to abutment 12.

It will be noted that the stress exerted by coil springs 8 on the terminal stops lilo of rods it) occasions a togglelink motion of rods 10 and of abutment member 12, whereby boss 12b of the latter is urged into its active position of engagement with watch case 1, and casings 9 with arcuate arms 3 are urged toward the position of closing of the wrist band.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6-8, the wearer of the watch can vary the tension of springs 8. For this purpose, the longitudinal casing 9, which has a transverse wall 9!; with slots 90 near shaft 11 and at the rear end a bent-up wall 9a, is secured to the arm 3 in such a manner that it may be moved longitudinally along arm 3 to a small extent; the side-walls of casing 9 include two lugs 14 which are adapted to slide in slots 15 formed in plate 5 of the arcuate arms 3 of the wrist-band. Plate 5 carries, inside casing 9 axially thereof and near the rear of terminal stops ltla, a stop-piece l6. Casing 9 carries inside and between stop-piece 16 and rear wall 9d an eccentric piece 17, which is provided with a control handle 18 which projects outside rear wall 9d. The pivoting axis of eccentric piece 17 is perpendicular to shaft 11. Springs 8, reacting upon sliding casing 9, cause the rear wall 9a' to clock-wise, the casing 9 will slide forward toward watch case 1 and springs Swill be more compressed. If'eccentrio piece 17 is turned counter-clockwise, casing 9 slides to its rear position, as defined by lugs 14 and slots 15; and the springs 8 are decompressed. As shown in Fig. 7, eccentric 17 is in its 'm'edial' position.

In the third embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12, the tubular member 13 connecting the arm of the watch case with the latter is provided at each end with a piston 19 slidingly engaging it and submitted to the action of a coil spring 29 so that it is permanently urged outwardlyof the tube 13. 'Each of said pistons is provided with a tail-piece 22 extending through a longitudinal groove 23 in the tube 13, said groove ending with a transverse notch 24. Each piston 19 is provided with a longitudinal recess or bore 25 which is tapped for engagement up to any desired depth by the threaded end of a tenon 26 the other end of which is adapted'to engage a corresponding housing 21 in the cooperating ear of the watch'case. When said ear, instead of such a housing, is provided with a trunnion projecting axially beyond its inner surface, it is possible to remove the tenon 26 out of its recess 25 so as to allowsaid trunnion to be fitted in said recess in lieu of said tenon.

The presence of the tail-pieces 22 allows engaging by hand the pistons into the inside of the tube 13 and to hold them in the position thus assumed by them by causing said tail-pieces to enter the corresponding transverse notches 24.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a wrist watch including a watch 7 case and two ears rigid with a section of the periphery of said watch case and coaxial with a line in the general plane of the watch case, the provision of a wrist band arm comprising a tubular member coaxial with said line and adapted to. rock round its axis between said coaxial cars,

a piston slidingly engaging each end of the tubular member, means urging elastically said pistons outwardly into releasable engagement with the ears, means controlling the engagement and disengagement of the pistons with the ears, an' arcuate carrier section rigid with said tubular member, a strap pivotally secured to the watch case round the axis of the ears on the latter, at least one rod extending underneath the carrier section in a plane perpendicular to said pivotal axis and pivotally secured to said strap round an axis parallel with the first mentioned axis, a stop rigid with the outer end of each rod, a coil spring wound round each rod and fitted between the stop on the rod and a point of the carrier section located in the vicinity of the 'first pivotal 'axis of the watch case and a projection on the strap normally engaging the watch case to hold the arm in its operative position with reference to the case under the action of the stress exerted by the springs on eral flanges integral with said abutment member and articulate'd on a second pivot shaft; said second shaft being parallel to said first shaft but at a lower level relative to the general plane of the watch case; on the concave face of said arcuate arm, and on a portion of its length, a casing; a tube surrounding rotatably said second shaft; at least one rod integral with said tube and perpendicular to said second shaft and engaging slidably the inside of said casing; the end of each rod away from said second shaft having a terminal stop; a coil spring around each rod and compressed between said terminal stop and the transverse 'front wall of said casing, said front wall being near said first shaft; a boss on said abutment member, contacting said watch case when said arcuate arm is pivoted to ward its opened position around said first'shaft; said boss, upon said contact with said watch case, forming a firm and fixed rest for said abutment member, causing compression of said coil spring, which then tends to return the arcuate arm to its closed position.

3. In a wristband for attachment to a watch case having side cars, at least one first shaft parallel to the general plane of the watch case and carried by said ears; at least one arcuate arm; on said arcuate arm, near said watch case, a tubular end pivoting aro und said first shaft between said ears; an abutment member located substantially between two side ears; integral with said abutment member, lateral flanges'articulated on a second pivot shaft parallel tosaid first shaft but at a lower level relative to the general plane of the watch case; on the concave face of said arcuate arm, and on a portion of its length, a casing having a forward transverse wall near said second shaft; a tube fitted rotatably around said second shaft at least one slot in said 7 forward transverse wall; at leastone rod integral with said tube and slidingly engaging said casing through said slot,

at right angle to said second shaft and parallel to the concave face of said arcuate arm; at the end of said rod away from said second shaft, a terminal stop; a coil spring around said rodand compressed between said terminal stop and said forward transverse wall; a boss on said abutment member, contacting said watch case when said arcuate arm is pivoted toward its opened position; said boss, upon said contact with said watch case, forming a firm and fixed rest for said abutment member, whereupon said coil spring is further compressed, which tends to return said arcuate arm to its closed position by applying said lateral flanges against said tubular end of said arcuate arm:

4. In a wrist band for attachment to a watch case having side cars, at least one first shaft parallel to the general plane of the watch case and carried by said cars; at least one arcuate arm mounted pivotably on said first shaft between said ears; an abutment member located substantially between two side ears; integral with said abutment member, lateral flanges; a second pivot shaft parallel to said first shaft but at a lower level relative to'the general plane of the watch case; said lateral flanges being articulated on saidsecond shaft; on the concave face of said arcuate arm, on a portion of its length, a casing slidable longitudinally of said arm; said casing having longitudinal walls, a for- V ward transverse Wall near said second shaft and a bent-up transverse rear wall; a tube fitted rotatably around said second shaft; at least one slot in said forward transverse wall; at least one rod integral with said tube and slidingly engaging said casing through said slot, at right angle to said second shaft; at the end of said rod away from said tube, a terminal stop; a coil spring around said rod and compressed between said terminal stop and saidrforward transverse wall of said longitudinal sliding casing; a projection on'said abutment member, contacting said watch case when said arcuate arm is pivoted toward its opened position; said projection, upon said contact with said watch case, forming a firm rest for said abutment member, whereafter said coil spring is further compressed, which tends to return said arcuate arm to its closed position; a

arcuate arm; the rotation of said eccentric counteracting f the action of said coil spring to define the exact position of the sliding longitudinal relative to the arcuate arm, and to adjust the tension of said coilspring.

5. A wrist band as claimed in claim 2, in which the stress exerted by the coil spring on the terminal stop of the rod occasions a pivoting toggle-link motion of said rod and said abutment member, bringing said boss in contact with said Watch case, and moving said casing and said arcuate arm toward their position of closure of the wrist band.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,692,079 DAlo Nov. 20, 1928 Feid Dec. 25, 1934 'Lynds Jan. 28, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany July 16, 1935 Switzerland Feb. 16, 1940 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1951 Switzerland Aug. 1,1951 Switzerland Apr. 17, 1954 

